Pygmy goats can develop “accents” as they grow older, according to scientists. The young animals, known as “kids”, are raised in groups or “creches” with goats of a similar age. Researchers found that when young goats mixed in these social groups their calls became more similar. The animals join an elite group of mammals known to adapt a vocal sound in response to the environment that includes humans, bats and whales.

The study co-authors suggested that the social structure of the goats could be the motivator behind the convergence in calls and that the ability to modify a sound rather than making calls limited by genetics could be more widespread than previously thought.